Cuffie says Govt close to making decision on CNMG and GISL

Contributing to the Budget debate in the House of Representatives on Thursday, Cuffie said Government has been able to “stem the haemorrhaging of resources at both CNMG and GISL and eliminate the waste, corruption and mismanagement...

that they can now pay their bills.” “I am happy to report that not only is GISL paying its creditors but, they are even able to pay gratuity to former employees,” he said.

Cuffie said following the consultation held last year on the role of State media “we are very much close to determining the way forward for both organisations.” Claiming CNMG and GISL were “left pretty much bankrupt” under the previous administration, the minister said the final report on the consultation, titled “Toward Dynamic Public Service Media”, was approved and has been forwarded to Cabinet.

“An announcement will be made shortly,” he said.

The La Horquetta/ Talparo MP said Government has recognised that it can no longer be business as usual for the organisations.

“And we have developed new structures for the Government Information Services Division, the Government Printery, the Government Human Resources Company - all these are being remodelled to take into consideration the changed economic circumstances and become more cost-effective in the delivery of the services they provide,” he said.

During his contribution, Cuffie revealed that the Government had secured a new agreement with the USbased Microsoft Corporation for the provision of computer software which will save Trinidad and Tobago some TT$272 million in licenced payments over a three-year period.

He revealed that a team from the ministry has been in negotiations with Microsoft within the past four weeks to formalise a new agreement.

“I am pleased to announce today that we have reached consensus on a new agreement subject to Cabinet approval that will cost $4.2 million amounting to just over US$12 million over the three years. That means, Mr Deputy Speaker, that we will save in payment to Microsoft, US$40 million over a three-year period,” Cuffie said.

“We have been able to negotiate a US$40 million reduction in licenced payments to Microsoft. That means TT$272 million over a three-year period.” Cuffie claimed under the former Government, the three-year software agreement with Microsoft had cost this country a whopping US$52,462,752.62.

“Now that represents TT$331.6 million, which represented software that we were being charged for, some of which were not in use and there were others in use that we weren’t paying for,” Cuffie said.

“In other words, that TT$3331.6 million represented waste, mismanagement on the part of our public services and possibly corruption.” The minister said apart from the “obvious savings” in foreign exchange, the money saved from the initiative could be used to fund infrastructural programmes in the Ministry of Rural Development.

“So, that they can get roads in Cumuto/ Manzanilla, grounds in Caroni East and La Horquetta/ Talparo. We can repair landslips in Moruga and all things that the rual communities need,” he said.

Cuffie thanked the negotiating team, which comprised officers from his ministry and iGovTT for their work in eliminating “waste, corruption and mismanagement that has saved this country $272 million.” Given the economic realities confronting the country, Cuffie said his ministry had embarked on a series of measures, including legislation, aimed at promoting greater efficiency within the public service.

“We can’t turn this country and economy around unless we tackle the problems of waste, corruption and mismanagement,” he said.